Highcroft Acura pocketed the third place in Detroit race
Behind the wheels of the No. 9 Highcroft Acura ARX-01a prototype, the seasoned driving tandem of David Brabham and Stefan Johansson, who were former Formula One drivers, has successfully collided and survived the toughest racers for a third overall spot in the inaugural Detroit Sports Car Challenge held in the streets of Belle Isle last weekend.
To date, this recent win of Brabham and Johansson has registered the fourth podium finish for this year for Highcroft Racing. Furthermore, bagging a place in the race series has given the Acura team duo with a comfortable third place in the division point standings of the American Le Mans Series. Not only that, the Detroit Sports Car win of the Acura ARX-01a prototype provided the Acura Team’s ninth visit in the winning column since the luxury Japanese brand’s debut in the American Le Man Series season.
“It really is just getting to the finish in this one. Anything can happen out there,” said Brabham. “People are starting to make mistakes and you can take advantage of it.”
The third spot, however, was not that easy to achieve as the duo encountered technical difficulties as well as tough contenders in the speed battle. At the start of the two-hour and 45-minute race war was not for the Acura Team as the four-wheel machine was hit twice during the first hour. Moreover, Brabham and Johansson had to avoid a GT-2 Porsche, which was on fire, and some flying bodywork from other cars. The No.9 Highcroft Acura managed to get back on track down the stretch, thanks to the solid pit work and excellent fuel strategy. For the last grueling 30 minutes of the car challenge, the duo breezed past fellow Acura driver Adrian Fernandez for a third spot.